Comparison of protective effects of electroacupuncture and moxibustion at Zusanli(ST 36)on perinatal nicotine exposure-induced lung phenotype in rat offspring

Objective:To compare the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)and moxibustion at Zusanli(ST 36)on the lung phenotype of rat offspring exposed to nicotine during the perinatal period.Methods:Pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:the control group(saline only),the model group(nicotine only),the EA group(nicotine+EA at ST 36 acupoints bilaterally),and the moxibustion group(nicotine+moxibustion at ST 36 acupoints bilaterally).n=6 rats per group.On postnatal day 21,the body weight,lung weight,and pulmonary function were determined and lung morphometry was performed.Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma andβ-catenin levels in the lung tissue of offspring were also determined.Results:Perinatal nicotine exposure(PNE)results in decreased body and lung weights of offspring rats,abnormal lung tissue morphology,and significantly altered pulmonary function,showing an increase in total airway resistance and a decrease in tidal volume,minute ventilation,total airway compliance,and peak expiratory flow.Bilateral EA at ST 36 acupoints could block all of these perinatal nicotine-induced effects.Although moxibustion also had protective effects in nicotine-induced offspring lungs,some of these effects did not reach statistical significance,e.g.,protection against the upregulation ofβ-catenin,the downregulation of PPARγsignaling,and the increase in peak expiratory flow.Conclusion:Maternal EA at ST 36 blocked the PNE-induced changes in key developmental signaling pathways,prevented the PNE-induced changes in lung morphology,and protected pulmonary function.Moxibustion at ST 36 showed similar but weaker protective effects against the PNE-induced changes in the exposed offspring.It is important to note that the mechanism underlying the protective effects of moxibustion at ST 36 may be different from those of EA at ST 36,and further research is needed to understand these differences.

Electro-acupuncture at Zusanli(ST 36) to improve lower extremity motor function in sensory disturbance patients with cerebral stroke A randomized controlled study of 240 cases

BACKGROUND： Studies have shown that sensory transduction is a way to introduce needle sensation. OBJECTIVE： To observe the influence of electro-acupuncture at the ＂Zusanll＂ （ST 36） point on lower extremity motor function in various sensory disturbance patients with cerebral stroke. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized, controlled, clinical study was performed at the Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, China Rehabilitation Research Centre from September 2006 to June 2008. PARTICIPANTS： Patients with first-time cerebral infarction or hemorrhage, or with a stroke history, but no neurodysfunction （single damage）, were selected for this study. The subjects were right-handed and disease state was stable. A total of 240 inpatients were randomly assigned to the following groups： electro-acupuncture （n = 124） and control （n = 116）. The two groups were further assigned into sub-groups： no sensory disturbance, superficial sensory disturbance, deep sensory disturbance, and deep and superficial sensory disturbance. METHODS： On the basis of routine limb function training, the acupoint Zusanliwas utilized in all patients from the electro-acupuncture group. Perpendicular acupuncture was 3.0-4.0 cm deep. An electric acupuncture instrument was connected when patients developed the needle sensation, deqi. A stimulation pattern consisting of distant and dense waves of 50 Hz was used to elicit slight dorsal foot extension. Acupuncture was administered 5 times per week, 30 minutes per session, for 6 weeks in total. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： FugI-Meyer assessment （FMA） was used to evaluate lower extremity motor function; Ver.1.0 gait analysis to estimate gait （step frequency, step speed, and step scope）; lower extremity Composite Spasticity Scale （CSS） to estimate muscle spastic degree. RESULTS： Following treatment, motor function improved in both groups. Compared with the control group, FMA score, step speed, step frequency, and step scope were increased in the electro-acupuncture group, but there was no difference in lower extremity CSS scores between the electro-acupuncture and the control groups （P 〉 0.05）. Compared with the control group, Zusanli （ST 36） electro-acupuncture improved motor function indices as follows： FMA score, step frequency, step speed, and step scope of patients with no sensory disturbance （P 〈 0.05-0.01）, step frequency of patients with superficial sensory disturbance （P 〈 0.05）, and step frequency and step speed of patients with deep sensory disturbance （P 〈 0.05）. CONCLUSION： Zusanfi （ST 36） electro-acupuncture effects on lower extremity motor function in stroke patients were improved with no muscle tone rise. Therefore, this form of treatment can be used in convalescent treatment, Moreover, effects were different according to various sensory disturbance types, which suggested that sensory input influenced acupuncture effects.

EXPERIMENTAL STUDY ON MOXIBUSTION AT ZUSANLI(ST 36) AND LIANGMEN (ST 21) INDUCING HEAT SHOCK PROTEIN 70 (HSP70) EXPRESSION TO RESIST OXIDATIVE INJURY OF GASTRIC MUCOSA

To observe effect of moxibustion at Zusanli （足三里 ST 36） and Liangmen （梁门 ST 21 ） on expression of heat shock protein 70 （HSP70） in gastric mucosa of the rat of stress ulcer （SU） to explore the mechanism of moxibustion in resisting oxidative injury of the gastric mucosa. Methods： Sixty SD rats were evenly randomized into 4 groups, a blank group, a model group, an acupoint moxibustion group and a non-acupoint moxibustion group. Water restraint stress （WRS） method was used to make stress gastric ulcer rat model. The ulcerative index （Ul） of gastric mucosa was evaluated by using GUTH method, the gastric mu- cosa blood flux （GMBF） was detected by a laser Doppler bloodflow monitor, and HSP70 expression and malondialdehyde （MDA） content in the gastric mucosa were determined respectively with immunohistochemical and thiobarbiturate methods. Results： Moxibustion at Zusanli （ST 36） and Liangmen （ST 21 ） significantly de- creased Ul, up-regulated HSP70 expression, increased GMBF, and decreased MDA content in the gastric mucosa in the rat of stress gastric ulcer, with significant differences as compared with the model group and the non-acupoint moxibustion group （P 〈 0.05 or P 〈 0.01 ）. Conclusion： Moxibustion at Zusanli （ST 36） and Liangmen （ST 21 ） can induce high expression of HSP70 and decrease MDA content in the gastric mucosa, so as to resist oxidative injury, with relative acupoint specificity.

Moxibustion at ST36 activates peritoneal macrophages in CTX-induced immunosuppression in mouse model via IFN-γ

Background:To explored whether moxa cone moxibustion can reduce peritoneal inflammation by increasing the content of peritoneal macrophages and B cells via interferon-gamma.Methods:The mice were randomly divided into three groups with six mice in each group:the control group,model group,and moxibustion group,and the model was established in mice using cyclophosphamide.In the moxibustion group,the mice received moxa cone moxibustion at Zusanli(ST36)for 7 days.Analysis of Peritoneal cell were detected by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence,the protein expression level in the peritoneal fluid were measured with mouse cytokine antibody arrays and verified by enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay test,and RNA-Sequencing was used for peritoneal cell RNA analysis.Results:Our results showed that moxa cone moxibustion could reduce the loss of large peritoneal macrophages and B1 cells(P<0.05).With the cytokine array analysis and enzyme linked immuno sorbent assay test of peritoneal fluid,we found that IFN‐γwas up-regulated in moxibustion group(P<0.05).There were 169 genes were down-regulated in the model group and up-regulated in the moxibustion group while 19 genes that were up-regulated in the model group and down-regulated in the moxibustion group via RNA-sequencing.Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis of 188 intersect differentially expressed genes were found that the top 3 pathways with the highest enrichment of up-regulated genes included Hematopoietic cell lineage,Inflammatory bowel disease and Malaria.The differentially expressed genes visualization protein-protein interaction network shows the top 10 genes including Ifng,Grb2,CCR7,CTLA4,CXCR5,Foxp3,kit,PRF1,CD5 and klrg1.Conclusion:These findings showed that moxa cone moxibustion can alleviate chemotherapy-induced diarrhea by reducing the loss of large peritoneal macrophages and B1 cells in the peritoneal cavity,possibly through up-regulating inflammatory bowel disease signaling pathway via interferon-gamma to regulate the survival and function of large peritoneal macrophages and B1 cells.

Effect of acupuncture at Bǎihuì (百会GV 20) and Zúsānlǐ (足三里ST 36) on the level of serum inflammatory cytokines in patients with depression

Objective To investigate the immunologic mechanism of acupuncture at Bǎihuì（百 会 GV 20） and Zúsānlǐ（足三里 ST 36） for treatment of depression. Methods Eighty-four cases of depression patients were randomly divided into an electroacupuncture observation group（group A）, an electroacupuncture control group（group B） and a medication control group（group C）, 28 cases in each group. Bǎihuì（百会 GV 20） and Zúsānlǐ（足三里 ST 36） were used in the group A; Tàichōng （太冲 LR 3）, Sānyīnjiāo （三阴交 SP 6）, Nèiguān （内关 PC 6） and Shénmén （神门 HT 7） were used in the group B; and the group C was treated with oral administration of Fluoxetine. The scores of Hamilton Depression Scale （HAMD） were tested and the level of serum interleukin 1（IL-1β）, interleukin 6 （IL-6）, and tumor necrosis factor α （TNF-α） were measured by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay （ELISA）before and after treatment. Results Their scores of HAMD were obviously decreased after treatment in three groups（all P0.01）. In the group A, 2 cases were cured, 19 cases were markedly effective, 5 cases were effective and 2 cases were failed. In the group B, 16 cases were markedly effective, 12 cases were effective. While in the group C, 1 case was cured, 17 cases were markedly effective, 7 cases were effective and 3 cases were failed. The grade distribution of clinical effect showed that the effect of group A was better （P0.05）. The levels of serum IL-1β and IL-6 in the three groups were obviously decreased after treatment （P0.05, P0.01）, while there was no significant difference between the level of serum TNF-α before and after treatment. Conclusion The effect of electroacupuncture observation group is superior to those of electroacupuncture control group and medication control group.All of these three methods can clear the inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6 away and improve the symptoms of depression.

The Expression of Calcitonin Gene-related Peptide on the Neurons Associated Zusanli(ST 36)in Rats

Objective： To investigate the biochemical characteristic of the neurons associated Zusanli （ST 36） in the rat by using Alexa Fluor 594 conjugated cholera toxin subunit B （AF594-CTB） neural tracing and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP） fluorescent immunohistochemical techniques. Methods： Four male Sprague Dawley rats were injected with AF594-CTB into the corresponding area of the Zusanli in the human body. After 3 surviving days, the rat＇s spinal cord and dorsal root ganglia （DRGs） at lumbar segments were dissected following perfusion with 4% paraformaldehyde, cut into sections, and then stained with CGRP- fluorescent immunohistochemical method. Results： AF594-CTB labeled sensory neurons were detected in the L3-L6 DRGs with high concentration in L4 DRG, and the labeled motor neurons located in the dorsolateral and intermediate regions of lamina IX from L3-L5 segments with high concentration at L4. Meanwhile, CGRP- positive neural labeling distributed symmetrically on both sides of DRGs, anterior and dorsal horns of spinal cord. In the AF594-CTB labeled neurons, 37% sensory neurons and 100% motor neurons expressed CGRP- positive. Conclusion： These findings present the morphological evidence to demonstrate that the sensory and motor neurons associated Zusanli in the rat distributed with segmental and regional patterns, and contained CGRP-expression.

Therapeutic observation on electroacupuncture at Zusanli(ST 36) and Fenglong(ST 40) for senile dementia

Objective： To explore the clinical effects of electroacupuncture（EA） at Zusanli（ST 36） and Fenglong（ST 40） in treating senile dementia. Methods： A total of 74 patients were randomly divided into an EA group and a medication group based upon the random digital table, 37 cases in each group. EA at Zusanli（ST 36） and Fenglong（ST 40） was given in the EA group, once every day, for six treatments per week. Donepezil Hydrochloride Tablets were given to the medication group, 5 mg per time and once a day in the former four weeks, 10 mg per time and once a day after 4 weeks, oral administration before sleep at night. The courses of the treatment were 12 weeks in both groups. The scores of mini-mental state examination（MMSE） and Barthel index（BI） were observed before and after the treatment, for processing the comparative analysis of the clinical effects after the course of the treatment. Results： The total effective rate was 86.5% in the EA group and 70.3% in the medication group. The therapeutic effect was better in the EA group than that in the medication group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant（P〈0.05）. MMSE and BI scores after the treatment in the two groups were all elevated than those of the same groups before the treatment（P〈0.05, P〈0.01）. The improving situation was obviously better in the EA group than that in the medication group, and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant（P〈0.05）. Conclusion： EA at Zusanli（ST 36） and Fenglong（ST 40） is affirmative in the therapeutic effect for senile dementia and can also improve the cognitive function and enhance the patients＇ quality of life.

Effect of ear acupuncture plus injection at Zusanli(ST 36) on shoulder pain and cytokines after gynecologic laparoscopic surgery

Objective： To explore the clinical efficacy of ear acupuncture plus injection at Zusanli（ST 36） in treating shoulder pain after laparoscopic gynecological surgery, and to observe its effect on cytokines.Methods： Two hundred patients with shoulder pain after laparoscopic gynecological surgery were randomized into two groups based on their visiting sequence, 100 cases each. The observation group was intervened by ear acupuncture plus injection at Zusanli（ST 36）, and the control group was intervened by oral administration of Ibuprofen, 10 d as a treatment course. The clinical efficacies of the two groups were compared after 2 treatment courses; the visual analogue scale（VAS）,present pain intensity（PPI） and 36-item short-form health survey（SF-36） were measured before and after the treatment;the changes of interleukin（IL）-6 and IL-10 after the treatment were also observed.Results： The VAS and PPI scores were significantly changed after the treatment in both groups（both P〈0.01）. After the treatment, the VAS score in the observation group was significantly different from that in the control group（P〈0.05）. The component scores of SF-36 were significantly changed after the treatment in both groups（P〈0.01）; after the treatment, the scores of physical functioning（PF）, bodily pain（BP）, social functioning（SF）, and mental health（MH） in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group（all P〈0.05）. The contents of IL-6 and IL-10 dropped significantly after the intervention in both groups（both P〈0.01）, and the between-group differences were also statistically significant（both P〈0.01）. The total effective rate of the observation group was higher than that of the control group（P〈0.05）.Conclusion： Ear acupuncture plus injection at Zusanli（ST 36） can significantly improve the shoulder pain after laparoscopic gynecological surgery, down-regulate the expressions of IL-6 and IL-10, and boost the recovery.

Overview of researches on central action mechanism of needling Zusanli(ST 36)

The contents about the central action mechanisms of needling Zusanli（ST 36） were sorted by summarizing the relevant literatures published in the past 10 years, and it was found that： by comparing acupuncture at Zusanli（ST 36）, other acupoints or sham points, most studies showed that Zusanli（ST 36） had relatively specific characteristics in the brain function response; studies on the central action mechanisms of Zusanli（ST 36） were mainly focused on sequelae of cerebral apoplexy, pain, gastrointestinal diseases, weight loss and drug addiction withdrawal and so on; acupuncture manipulations, stimulation methods, individual differences, stimulation quantity, and stimulation duration, etc. could also induce different brain function responses; acupuncture at Zusanli（ST 36） had an after-working effect, also called long-term effect, but with poor repeatability. So, it was suggested that the future studies should focus on the factors that affect the clinical efficacies and experimental results, including the compatibility effects of the acupoints, reproducibility of research results, sample size, acupuncture methods, long-term effects and disease entities.

Differences in thermal effects of moxibustion at Zusanli(ST 36) and Hegu(LI 4) on various facial areas in healthy people

OBJECTIVE:To study the effects of temperature on different facial areas by suspended moxibustion at two points,Zusanli(ST 36) and Hegu(LI 4),and probe the phenomena underlying self-regulation in the human body after thermal stimulation.METHODS:Thirty healthy volunteers accepted moxibustion over Zusanli(ST 36) and Hegu(LI 4),and the order of moxibustion points was randomly determined.Moxibustion method:suspension of moxibustion over Zusanli(ST 36) and Hegu(LI 4) on both sides was performed using an ignited moxa stick stuck in a support for 20 min.Observation method:An infrared thermal image of the face was taken before and after suspended moxibustion using a CK350 medical infrared thermal imaging instrument.Data analysis:A thermal microscopic section view system(TMTSys) was used to analyze the change in temperature in special facial areas.Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS 14.0 software.RESULTS:Before moxibustion was suspended,the facial thermal image showed a T-shaped thermal area related to the vascular distribution with even temperature and good symmetry on both sides.Suspended moxibustion over Zusanli(ST 36) have a very significant increase in temperature at the forehead,around the nose,at the corners of the mouth,and at the cheeks and lips(P<0.01).Suspended moxibustion over Hegu(LI 4) also have a significant(P<0.05) increase in temperature around the nose,the corners of the mouth,the cheeks,and lips,where has a new high temperature area was formed(P<0.01).Suspended moxibustion over Hegu(LI 4) raised the temperature at the middle point of the lips more obviously than did Zusanli(ST 36) in the same person,(P<0.05).After 10 min of moxibustion over Zusanli(ST 36) and Hegu(LI 4),the change in temperature in the facial area reached its peak value.CONCLUSIONS:Facial infrared thermography of healthy people revealed a T-shaped thermal area reflecting a physiological thermal area.Moxibustion over Zusanli(ST 36) or Hegu(LI 4) raised the temperature in this facial T-shaped thermal area.Hegu(LI 4) led to the formation of a new thermal area in the lips.The time required for moxibustion to regulate human body temperature was 10 min.

Effect of moxa-burning heat stimulating Liangmen(ST 21) and Zusanli(ST 36) on proliferation and apoptosis signaling proteins in rats with stress-induced gastric ulcer

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of moxa-burning heat stimulating acupoints of Liangmen(ST 21)and Zusanli(ST 36) on the proliferation and apoptosis signaling proteins in rats with stress-induced gastric ulcer.METHODS: Forty rats were randomly divided into four groups: negative control(NC), ulcer control(UC), acupoints of stomach meridian(ASM), and acupoints control(AC). The acute gastric ulcer model was established by bound and water immersion.Rats in NC and UC groups didn't receive any moxa-burning heat stimulating treatment, while rats in ASM and AC groups were treated with buringmoxa heat stimulating the acupoints of Liangmen(ST 21) and Zusanli(ST 36) and their controlled points, respectively. Rats in all groups were sacrificed after 12 consecutive days treatment. The ulcer index was evaluated by using Guth's method.The expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α), apoptotic protease activating facter-1(Apaf-1), Caspase-3, p21 activated kinase 1(PAK1),extracellular regulated protein kinases 2(ERK2),phosphorylated ERK2(p ERK2), phosphoinositide3-kinase(PI3K) and RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase(Akt) in gastric mucosa was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).RESULTS: Compared with UC group, the ulcer index of ASM and AC groups decreased, and the injured gastric mucosa was improved, the expression of TNF-α, Apaf-1 and Caspase-3 in gastric mucosa was significantly reduced(P < 0.05), while the ex-pression of PAK1, ERK2, p ERK2, PI3 K and Akt in gastric mucosa was significantly increased(P < 0.05).And ASM showed better effect than AC group(P <0.05).CONCLUSION: Moxa-burning Heat stimulating of Liangmen(ST 21) and Zusanli(ST 36) could promote the recovery of gastric mucosal lesion probably by inhibiting cell apoptosis and promoting cell proliferation in stress-induced gastric ulcer.

Effects of three needling manipulations of the right-side Zusanli(ST 36) on brain using functional magnetic resonance imaging

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects on the brain using three needling manipulations(twirling, lifting-thrusting, and twirling plus lifting-thrusting)when the right-side Zusanli(ST 36) acupoint was stimulated with needles.METHODS: Seventeen healthy subjects accepted three needling manipulations stimulating the right Zusanli(ST 36) over separate days. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to detect changes in the brain during the manipulations, and then the needling sensations were recorded using the MGH acupuncture sensation scale(MASS) after each scan. f MRI data were processed using Statistical Parametric Mapping 8 to analyze the positiveand negative activation in the brain induced by different acupuncture manipulations.RESULTS: The individual needling sensations showed no statistically significant differences among the three manipulations. However, the MASS index showed that lifting-thrusting > twirling plus lifting-thrusting > twirling. Lifting-thrusting activated left premotor cortex, left postcentral,right middle frontal gyrus, left inferior frontal gyrus,right lingual gyrus, left insula, right putamen, bilateral cingulate gyrus and right cerebellum; and deactivated bilateral hippocampus and left caudate.Twirling activated bilateral orbital middle frontal gyrus, left opercular and triangular inferior frontal gyrus, and right middle occipital gyrus; and deactivated bilateral precuneus, right amygdala, left anterior cingulate gyrus, right inferior temporal gyrus,right middle frontal gyrus, right supplementary motor gyrus, and left postcentral. Twirling plus lifting-thrusting activated bilateral postcentral, left inferior occipital gyrus, left insula, left thalamus, left cingulate gyrus, and right putamen; and deactivated right superior frontal gyrus, right superior parietal gyrus, right temporal gyrus, right middle occipital gyrus, right insula, and left lingual gyrus. Pairwise comparisons of the three manipulations showed that signals induced by lifting-thrusting were the strongest, especially in the limbic system,followed by twirling plus lifting-thrusting; twirling alone was the weakest.CONCLUSION: Three methods of needling manipulations similarly activated areas associated with the somatosensory system, vision, cognition, and emotional regulation. This may have significant implications for acupuncture in clinical practice.

Low-frequency fluctuation amplitude analysis of resting-state fMRI for functional brain response differences between acupuncture and moxibustion at Zusanli(ST 36) in patient with functional dyspepsia

Objective： To compare and analyze functional brain response characteristics by applying acupuncture or moxibustion to Zusanli（ST 36） in patients with functional dyspepsia（FD） and investigate the differences of central action mechanism resulting from acupuncture or moxibustion.Methods： A total of eligible 24 FD cases were divided into two blood-oxygen-level dependent（BOLD） sequences for functional magnetic resonance imaging（fMRI） scan. The amplitude of low frequency fluctuation（ALFF） analyses were conducted on the data of location phase, structure phase, resting state before acupuncture/moxibustion, working state during acupuncture/moxibustion and resting state after acupuncture/moxibustion using Data Processing Assistant for Resting-State fMRI（DPARSF） software.Results： Acupuncture and moxibustion produced significant differences in functional brain response. The working state during acupuncture/moxibustion mainly decreased ALFF values in the right supramarginal gyrus, right superior parietal lobule, right frontal gyrus, upper right occipital lobe, right precuneus and right cingulate gyrus. At the same time, it increased ALFF values in the left cerebellum, right caudate nucleus, right cerebellum and left inferior gyrus. The differences during the resting state after acupuncture/moxibustion were significantly smaller than the working state in intensity and size. It mainly resulted in decrease in ALFF values in the right postcentral gyrus and right supramarginal gyrus and increase in ALFF values in the left precuneus, orbital part of inferior frontal gyrus and right cerebellar peduncles.Conclusion： Needling and moxibustion at Zusanli（ST 36） can produce significant differences in immediate functional brain response.

Peripheral Nerve Discharge Elicited by Manual Acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) Regulates Blood Pressure in Anesthetized Rats

Objective： To investigate target organ response by recording mean arterial blood pressure （MAP） fluctuation corresponding to nerve-tract discharges from the nerve innervating acupoint of Zusanli （ST 36） in the hind limb evoked by MA in anesthetized rats. Methods： Male SD rats anesthetized with chloral hydrate were randomly divided into 3 groups which were treated with manual acupuncture （MA）, injection of lidocaine followed by MA and injection of normal saline （NS） followed by MA, respectively. The right carotid artery was canulated for persistent measurement of the blood pressure and meanwhile nerve discharges from the nerve-tract were recorded for analysis with amplitude spike counts for every 5 s. Results： The results showed that there were significant nerve discharges recorded from the nerve-tract when applying MA at Zusanli （ST 36） and simultaneous decrease in the MAP, while there was no response when inserting a needle into the Zusanli （ST 36） without manipulation （P〈0.05）. Furthermore, the reduction of MAP during MA could be completely abolished after blockade of peripheral nerve discharges with an injection of lidocaine into the tissue around Zusanli （ST 36） but not with that of normal saline （NS）. Conclusion： These results indicate that MA at Zusanli （ST 36） can elicit the peripheral nerve discharges from the nerve innervating the acupoint; such kind of nerve discharges may contain acupuncture signal regulating blood pressure via somato-cardiovascular reflex.

Effect of purulent moxibustion on Zúsānlǐ(足三里ST 36) point on the clinical symptoms of patients with malignant tumor

Objective To discuss the effect of purulent moxibustion on Zusanli （足三里 ST 36） point on the clinical symptoms and life quality of patients with malignant tumor. Methods Sixty patients with malignant tumor were divided into an observation group and a control group with 30 cases in each group. The observation group was treated with purulent moxibustion on Zusanli （足三里 ST 36） in combination with herbal medicine; the control group was only treated with herbal medicine. After 80 days, the changes of the clinical symptoms and KPS of the two groups before and after the treatment were observed. Results The effective rates for the improvement of lassitude, poor appetite and insomnia in the observation group were 72.4% （21/29） ,25.0% （15/20） ,71.4% （15/21）, and those in the control group were 42.9%（12/28） ,55.6% （10/18） ,42.9% （6/14）, and there was no statistical significance of difference between the two groups（P〉0.05）. KPS has statistical significance in the two groups after the treatment （P〈0.01）,and the observation group was higher than the control group. Conclusion Purulent moxibustion on the point of Zusanli （足三里 ST 36） has certain effect to improve the clinical symptoms of patients with malignant tumor, and raise KPS and upgrade the life quality of patients.

Experimental Research of Acupuncture at Zusanli (ST 36) for Anti-aging

Objective： To explore the mechanism of anti-aging effect of acupuncture at Zusanli （ST 36）. Methods： Thirty mice of 28 weeks old were randomly divided into 3 groups： control group, model group and acupuncture group. Sub-acute aging model was established by subcutaneous injection of D-galactose. The activity of Superoxide Dismutase（SOD） and content of serum Malondialdehyde（MDA） were measured. Morphological changes of jejunal mucosa were observed with light microscope. Result： SOD activity in the acupuncture group was highest among the three groups, whereas, MDA content was the lowest. In the model group, the ratio of normal intestinal villus was decreased, the intestinal villus was shrunk, and there were more epithelial cells desquamated. In acupuncture group, there were less abnormal intestinal villus and epithelial cell. Conclusion： Acupuncture at Zusanli （ST 36） has an effect in resisting aging by increasing the activity of serum SOD, decreasing the MDA contents, and improving the intestinal villus.

Influence of different-distance mild moxibustion at Zusanli(ST 36) on functional brain imaging in healthy population

Objective： To explore the beneficial regulatory effect of mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli（ST 36） of healthy population on the functions of temperature-related brain regions. Methods： In 20 recruited healthy subjects, the change of the temperature-related brain regions induced by mild moxibustion from different distances at Zusanli（ST 36） was observed by functional magnetic resonance imaging（fM RI）. Results： In comparison of the values in amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation（fA LFF） during and before moxibustion, it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, fA LFF value increased in the brain regions of the left anterior cingulated cortex and lateral surrounding cerebral regions, and fA LFF value decreased in the cerebral regions of the peripheral cortex of the calcarine fissure; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, fA LFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial side and paracingulated gyrus, and fA LFF value decreased in the cerebral zone of the left middle temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, fA LFF value increased in the brain regions of the right and medial and paracingulated gyrus; and in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, fA LFF value increased in the brain regions of the left hippocampus. In comparison of the value of regional homogeneity（ReH o）, it has been found that in moxibustion of 2 cm distance, ReH o value increased in the cerebral zone of the posterior lobe of the right cerebellum, and ReH o value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right occipital lobe; in moxibustion of 3 cm distance, ReH o value increased in the brain regions of the left cerebellar posterior lobe and left frontal lobe, and ReH o value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right inferior temporal gyrus; in moxibustion of 4 cm distance, ReH o value increased in the brain regions of the right superior frontal gyrus and ReH o value decreased in the brain regions of the right parietal lobe and angular gyrus; in moxibustion of 5 cm distance, ReH o value increased in the cerebral zone of the right frontal lobe and ReH o value decreased in the cerebral zone of the right brainstem. Conclusion： In moxibustion of 3 cm distance, the changes in the brain regions basically conform to the transmission route of body trunk temperature.

Effect of Zusanli(ST 36) moxibustion on rat mesenteric microvascular system

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of moxibustion on Zusanli(ST 36) on visceral-mesenteric vesselsbyobservingcirculation.METHODS: Forty-five SD rats were randomly assigned to a moxibustion, electroacupuncture(EA),and blank group. In the moxibustion group, heat stimulation of moxibustion to the Zusanli(ST36)area of normal rats was performed for 15 min. In the EA group, needles were inserted into the Zusanli(ST36)and later alpoint[0.5 cm lateral from Zusanli(ST 36)] for 15 min. The blank group was not given any treatment. We continuously monitored mesenteric microvascular changes with invivo microscopicvideo.RESULTS:Moxibustion and EA to Zusanli(ST 36) increase the diameter of mesenteric arterioles and venules(P<0.05). There were no obvious changes in the blank group. Fine arterial diameter peaked at12 min in the moxibustion group, while it peaked at15 min in the EA group.CONCLUSION:The stimulation of moxibustion and acupuncture to Zusanli(ST 36) has immediate effects on expanding the microvasculature. This dilation may be the mechanism of the gastrointestinal effect of Zusanli(ST36).

Research on the Relationship between Spinal Ways and the Effect of Point Zusanli (ST 36)

Objective： The integrity of the corresponding dorsal root is important in the research of the effects of acupuncture Zusanli （ST 36） on gastric smooth muscle. Investigate the communicate channels of central control on the effect of acupuncture Zusanli （ST 36）. Method： Selected 30 healthy adult SD rats and using veniua-glacial acid to made gastric mucosa ulcer model. Divided them into three groups, model group, cutting L4-S1 group and transecting T10-T11 group after the models have been made successfully, each group 10 rats. Implanted diameter in 0.2 mm Platinum Circle electrode into subserous of the ulcer place and recorded the myoelectricity activity of gastric smooth muscle before and after acupuncture Zusanli （ST 36）. Acupuncture parameters, 2-100 Hz, lasting 20 min. Results： Model group before acupuncture, （5.73±0.51） cycle per minitue （cpm）, （2.28±0.57） mV; model group after acupuncture, （5.34±0.34） cpm, （1.06 ± 0.13）. Group that before cutting dorsal L4-S1, （5.65±0.26） cpm, （1.66 ±0.15） mV; group that after cutting dorsal L4-S1, （5.40 ±0.23） cpm, （1.17 ±0.23）, group that after cutting dorsal L4-S1 and acupuncture, （5.26±0.18） cpm, （2.45±0.23）. Group that before transecting dorsal T10-T11 （5.69±0.36） cpm, （1.91 ±0.25） mV, group that after transecting dorsal T10-T11, （4.98±0.53） cpm, （1.05±0.18） mV, group that after transecting dorsal T10-T11 and acupuncture, （4.60 ±0.44） cpm, （2.52 ±0.38） mV. Conclusion： Acupunture Zusanli （ST 36） can inhibit the myoelectricity activity of gastric smooth muscle, cutting L4-S1 can strengthen the myoelectricity activity, but the effect of transect T10-T11 is better. So it can be said that the integrity of Dorsal root is important to the effect of acupuncture. The two-way regulation of Acupuncture has a close relationship with the higher centre above spinal cord.

Application of Injection at Acupoint Zusanli （ST 36） in Hydrotubation

Two hundred and twenty patients in hydrotubation were divided into experiment group and control group, with 110 cases in each group. Injection of vitamin K1 at Zusanli（ST 36） was used in the patients of experiment group before the operation. The control was given nothing. The observation showed that the number of case with adverse effects was less in experiment group than that in control group, and the measures was also milder in comparison with control group. The cases of unobstructed oviducts in experiment group were 89, accounting for 89.9%, while the cases in control group were 63, accounting for 57.3%.